Ekurhuleni DEMS rolls out safety campaign
Zamokuhle Ndawonde is a journalist who loves community-based stories. She covers stories within the community, ranging from good news to hard news and sport, using skills such as video editing and photography to engage people in different ways.
The CoE’s DEMS conducted a community outreach at the Kwasa informal settlement in Springs on November 5.
The DEMS stated the aim was to educate residents about basic fire safety and summer-related emergencies.
The team engaged with the community, providing practical demonstrations and informative sessions tailored to the challenges of the informal settlement environment and emphasising several critical areas.
“Education focused on the safe use and storage of heating and cooking appliances, handling of flammable materials and the dangers of illegal electrical connections. Particular attention was paid to the high risk of shack fires spreading rapidly,” stated the DEMS.
According to the DEMS, the residents were taught the stop, drop, and roll technique, the bucket fire technique, how to safely evacuate a burning structure, and the correct steps for raising the alarm, including providing clear and accurate location details to emergency call centres.
With summer in mind, the DEMS team also addressed lightning safety, floods, heat exhaustion/stroke and water safety, particularly for children near water.
“Our commitment extends beyond responding to emergencies. It involves engaging with our communities to prevent disasters from happening.
“The Kwasa informal settlement, like many others, faces significant fire risks, and equipping residents with these basic skills is vital for their safety and their neighbours. We urge all community members to take this information to heart and share it widely,” said the DEMS
The DEMS will continue these educational outreaches across various vulnerable areas in the municipality. It added that the success of this initiative relies on the active participation and co-operation of the community, and residents are reminded to keep the emergency numbers handy: 011 458 0911 or 112.
The DEMS emphasised maintaining clear paths around dwellings for faster access by emergency vehicles and designating safe meeting points in case of an evacuation.
The metro said that it is dedicated to ensuring a safer environment for all its citizens and encourages everyone to prioritise fire safety and emergency preparedness, especially as temperatures rise.
